Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday sharply criticized the United States and China, alleging that both nations seek to eliminate those who obstruct their rise to power. Speaking at the Shodharthi Samvad programme at Lucknow University’s Malaviya Auditorium, Bhagwat asserted that while Western nations pursue material dominance, India possesses the solutions to the pressing problems confronting the world today.
Addressing research scholars, Bhagwat said, “Western countries spread fundamentalism. Their thinking is to become powerful, live on their own, and abandon the rest, eliminating those who become obstacles. This is what America and China are doing today.” He added that India’s role as a potential world leader depends on becoming strong in every sphere, emphasizing that global acceptance of truth requires the backing of power.
Bhagwat highlighted the importance of accessible education and healthcare, warning against treating these as commercial enterprises. He criticized historical Western interference in India’s education system, noting that colonial powers dismantled traditional learning to produce “black Englishmen” who served foreign interests. “What the British distorted must now be corrected,” he said, urging a return to authentic Indian knowledge systems.
The RSS chief elaborated on the organization’s mission, emphasizing its focus on societal unity, collective prosperity, and moral discipline rather than individual gain or political influence. He encouraged research scholars to pursue their work with rigor, truthfulness, and selflessness, stressing that misinformation about the Sangh must be corrected through authentic research.
On globalization, Bhagwat argued that the concept has been reduced to marketization, which he described as dangerous. Drawing on the Indian principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, he called for disciplined, non-consumerist living, contrasting it with Western materialism. “Solutions to the world’s problems lie with Bharat,” he stated. “To become a Vishwaguru, we must become strong in all spheres. The world accepts truth only when it is backed by strength.”
Bhagwat also spoke on Dharma, describing it as the eternal principle that governs creation and brings universal happiness. He emphasized living collectively, responsibly, and in harmony with the environment, urging tree planting, water conservation, reduction of single-use plastics, and the application of modern technology to environmental protection.
